Zimbabwe Police Arrest 67 Over Anti-Government Protest

Clashes spread through the streets of the capital Harare as riot police fought running battles with protesters who hurled rocks at officers, set tyres ablaze and burned a popular market to the ground, in some of the worst unrest since food riots in 1998.

“They are thinking that what happened in the Arab Spring is going to happen in this country but we tell them that it is not going to happen here”, Mugabe told state television, referring to a series of uprisings that toppled leaders across the Arab world.

“Now that it is the government and the police who have obstructed a sanctioned march in violation of a court order, it stands to reason that this government is working very hard to provoke the law-abiding citizens of this country”, he said.

As a outcome, the capital city’s usually bustling central business district was quiet and clear of the hordes of street vendors who usually litter the pavements, while many shops opted to close their doors in fear of riots.

“We urge all to engage in non-violent discourse and for all those involved in protests, participants and law enforcement alike to abstain from violence and intimidation”, the department said, adding that the USA was also monitoring recent threats to crack down on activists using social media.

Leaders from 18 opposition political parties called for Zimbabweans to march through Harare as part of a so-called “mega demonstration”.

Protests “will continue until the day we vote”, said Mutasa, a former top member of ZANU-PF who is now a senior member of Mujuru’s party. “I am glad that Zimbabweans now refuse to be cowed”, Tsvangirai said. People’s anger and desperation are real …

“Today’s brutal suppression of the people will not stop them from exercising their rights”.

The Aug. 26 demonstrations were the latest and largest in several protests that have shut down Zimbabwe’s cities.

“Citizens are like a spring: the more they are suppressed, the greater the rebound”, he said. Police were deployed to crush the march.

Authorities said the had arrested 67 people, and lawyers said one of them was a journalist.

“The Canadian Embassy further said it “. reiterates its call on the government of Zimbabwe to make every effort to ensure that public policing and justice are consistent with the government’s constitutional obligation to respect basic human rights and freedoms”.

Zimbabwean police on Friday fired teargas to disperse anti-government supporters gathering in a square in the capital Harare ahead of a planned protest calling for electoral reform, a Reuters witness said.

The US embassy expressed “deep concern over reports of violence during some of the protests” and called on government to “exhibit restraint” and respect human rights.

Friday’s march was to demand free and fair elections.

Zimbabwe has seen months of protests against alleged human rights abuses, a weakening economy and high unemployment under the 92-year-old Mugabe, who has held power since 1980 when the south African country obtained its independence from Britain.

The country’s economic crisis has worsened recently, leading to a chronic cash shortage and delays paying civil servants.